I know why they do this

[db5]

and I hate it.

Yesterday my self-propelled lawn mower stopped propelling. I shut it off, turned it on its side and the belt was okay but would not turn and the pulley from the motor was okay. I had to take off the plastic cover over the belt on the deck only to discover these screws holding down the cover on the pulley. I have something to remove about every screwy screw but not these square ones. The top of the screws is rounded so you can't get it out with vice grips. Had to grind down an Allen wrench to the right size. A small stick was jammed between the pulley belt. The belt was okay but 4 years old so I decided to replace it and got one at HD for $15.

I later called a local dealer and asked what it cost to replace the belt. Seventy-five dollars for labor plus the price of the belt - $23. Oh, and there was a two-week back up. No, I couldn't make an appointment for two weeks it had to be in their shop and inline.

So, that's why the do it - to drive repair business to their dealers. Outrageous!

[ERLover]

I dont know, #2 square drive bit is pretty commonly used. In most bit/driver kits you get a couple of them just a #2 Phillips.

[jsburger]

and I hate it.

Yesterday my self-propelled lawn mower stopped propelling. I shut it off, turned it on its side and the belt was okay but would not turn and the pulley from the motor was okay. I had to take off the plastic cover over the belt on the deck only to discover these screws holding down the cover on the pulley. I have something to remove about every screwy screw but not these square ones. The top of the screws is rounded so you can't get it out with vice grips. Had to grind down an Allen wrench to the right size. A small stick was jammed between the pulley belt. The belt was okay but 4 years old so I decided to replace it and got one at HD for $15.

I later called a local dealer and asked what it cost to replace the belt. Seventy-five dollars for labor plus the price of the belt - $23. Oh, and there was a two-week back up. No, I couldn't make an appointment for two weeks it had to be in their shop and inline.

So, that's why the do it - to drive repair business to their dealers. Outrageous!

FWIW, square drive screws are quite common now. It didn't always used to be that way. The first ones I remember seeing was when I was stationed in Canada in 1980-84. If they existed in the US back then they certainly were not common but that was about all you could get in Canada then. Almost all the wood screws McFeely's sells today are square drive. I buy from them in bulk so most of the wood screws in my shop are square drive. The bits and drivers are easy to find but McFeely's gives you free drivers and bits with some of their assortments. They are great. It is almost impossible to strip the head or have the bit pop out of the head.

[oldiron]

An effort to combat the problems associated with corrosion which usually condemns standard hardware to the point it's impossible to remove.

Mike

[charlese]

Funny, but frustrating things is often how we find out about square drive screws and screwdrivers. About $8 or so will get you a #2 square screwdriver or a set of assorted square bits.

Sorry for your problem.

[swampgator]

Same as John. However, the screws that I purchase from McFeely's drive wonderfully. They hold well and will really pull two parts together.


Steve, Pensacola, FL

[ERLover]

Same as John. However, the screws that I purchase from McFeely's drive wonderfully. They hold well and will really pull two parts together.


Steve, Pensacola, FL

Me too, right length, shasam!!!

[everettdavis]

I have been using stainless steel square drive screws on fences for quite some time. They hold up, and are easy to remove. I just did so for pickets a the post junctions with two fence sections to get a new 10 x 20 barn installed, and they came out very easily. I recommend the square drive, and stainless steel.

They really take more torque than a #2 Phillips and most often are used in areas where stripping them out means a drill and an EZ-Out in machines.

I am sorry you had the problem, but I would also encourage you to get quality square drive tips for your 1/4" magnetic tip holder for ease of use and durability.

Everett

[everettdavis]

If you disassemble electronics made overseas you will likely see the softer brass / alloy machine screws, secured with a dab of clear poly (fingernail polish).

For years I had seen that, and finally heard one day that the metallurgy involved in a hard machine screw in a hard machine thread with locking compound was discontinued in favor of the softer screw in a hard metal thread.

The softer screw they found would deform slightly as tightened and conform to the variances in the threads in the hole making it self lock. The seal of clear poly would not only hold the head by requiring more surface tension to break it free, but also would tell the technician if someone unauthorized had disassembled it, possibly voiding warranties.

We had to reinstall a new bond of poly to the screws when we did warranty repairs for that reason alone.

Just an FYI..

[alohacnc]

They are called Roberts square drive bits. Cheap adapters can be had anywhere